Textile-machine



H. STEPHENSON;

TEXTILE MACHiNE. awucmou FILED Nov. 5. 1919.

L. 6 M 6 m 7 4 2 l 1! w M d m3 P U Inventor mtness UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE.

HARRY STEPHENSON, OF ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS.

TEXTILE-MACHINE.

. Application filed November 5, 1919. Serial No. 335,851.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY STEPHENSON,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Andover, in thecounty of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Textile-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same. This invention relatesto textile machines, and it has special reference to so-called drawing-off rolls for Noble combs which are commonly utilized for combing wool.

One of theobjects of the invention is to provide a device of the above indicated character which shall be simple and compact in construction, effective and reliable in op eration, and which shall be particularly adapted to maintain the movable roll in proper alinement or working relation with its cooperating stationary roll, while permitting it to accommodate itself to the variable thicknesses of the belt or conveyor as well as the wool carried thereby'as they travel between the cooperating drawing-off rolls. I

Accordingly, certain of the features of the invention reside in the improved and novel mode of mounting the movable roll which is carried or supported at its respective ends in floating bearing'blocks thatare severally pivotally associated with the supporting frame by means of a form of universal 'connection.

Both ofthe bearing blocks are pivotally mounted to swing in prescribed arcua te paths about stationary pivot pinsthat are similarly disposed with their axes coincident and parallel to the axis of the stationary] a plane normal tothe axisof the movable roll and the stationary pivot pins so as to permit said roll to assume, an inclined position with respect to the stationary roll, 7

while its movements are, at the same time, confined to a plane passing through the axes of both of the cooperating rolls. By reason of thi's construction, the movable roll may angularly accommodate itself to any taper 1n the feedlng belt and to any possible unevenness in the bulk of the wool passingbetween the rolls, which may be thicker at one end of the rolls than at the other.

Anothe r ObJGCt of the invention is to provide an lmproved and simplified arrangement and locat1on of parts whereby the movable roll is constantly and yieldingly urged into cooperative working relation with the stationary roll in such manner as to impose a minlmum of friction and wear upon the apparatus andto allow entire freedom of the movable roll to accommodate itself to the work.

To this end, a feature of the invention lies in positloning actuating springs between each of the floating bearing blocks and suitable ad ustable supports in such manner that said sprlngs are, in effect, suspended by their respective ends so as to accommodate themselves to the positions of the bearing blocks and to perform their intended functions without subjecting the apparatus to unnecessary and undesirable frictional resistance and wear. j

Other objects of the invention and features by which they are attained will be readlly seen from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanylng drawings, in which r 1 Figure 1 isaview in frontelevation of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2' is an enlarged view, partially in rear elevation and partially in section, ofa portion of the device shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a view, paror conveyer B, indicated in dotted lines in porting frame comprising end members 14 and 16 that are rigidly connected together by means 01? a rod 18, the ends of which are secured thereto by means of nuts 20. The supporting frame, just referred to, rests upon and is adjustably secured to the upper surface of a circular plate 22 by means of a bolt 21 that projects through a slotted lug 23 of the end member 16. The plate 22 constitutes an integral part of a hollow coneshaped bracket 241, that is provided at its base with oppositely extending slotted lugs 26, by means of which the device issuitably mounted upon the combing machine (not shown) of which it forms a part.

The stationary roll 10 is rotatably mounted at its upper end in a bearing 28, that is removably secured to the upper end member 14, said bearing being provided with a circular flange 30 which is set into a suitable recess in said end member and which is engagged and firmly held by a set screw 32.

The roll 10 is also rotatably mounted in bearings 34: and 36, which are respectively associated with the lower end member 16 of the supporting frame and with a web 88 extending across the bottom of the coneshaped bracket 2 The bearing 34: is set into and extends through registering recesses in the end member 16 and the upper plate 22 of the bracket 2 1, and said bearing is provided intermediate its ends with a circular flange 40 that is received in a suitable recess in the plate 22. For the purpose of holding the bearing against rotative movements, the flange 40 is provided with a pin 42, that is adapted to project into a recess in the bracket 2a. The lowermost bearing 36 is reduced in diameter as it projects through the web 38 and is fixedly secured in position by a nut 1 1 that is screw-threaded thereon.

In order to support the roll 10 in proper operative position, a collar 46 is adjustably secured thereto by means 01 a set s'crew 48 and said collar rests upon the upper end of the lowermost bearing 86. The lower end of the shaft of the roll 10 is provided with suitable means (not shown) for effecting its rotative movements. 4

The movable roll 12 is rotatably mounted at its respective ends in a pair of floating bearing blocks 50 comprising component parts 52 and 54, that are pivotally connected together by means of studs 56, that extend through recesses therein in parallel di rections and lie in planes that are normal to the axis of the movable roll 12. The'parts 52 of the bearing blocks 50 serve as bearings for the respective ends of the rotatably mounted movable roll 12. The parts 54:

thereof are pivot-ally mounted to the respective upper and lower end members 1% and 16 upon pivot pins 58, that project inwardly therefrom and which are so disposed as to have their axes coincident and parallel to the axis of the stationary roll 10.

By reason of this construction and mode of mounting of the floating bearing blocks 50 and movable roll 12, said roll is permitted to swing in an arcuate path about the pivot pins 58 and, therefore, the path of movement of the movable roll '12 toward and from the stationary roll is definitely prescribed in such manner as to insure the proper working relation and alinement of the cooperating rolls, which are thus maintained in substantial parallelism with re spect to a plane passing through the axes of both of said rolls.

Furthermore, by reason of the pivotal connection of the component parts 52 and 5450f the bearing blocks 50, afiorded by the studs 56, each of the parts 52 of said bear-' tained, said roll is also permitted to assume inclined positions with respect to the sta tionary roll 10 by reason of the pivotal mounting of the bearing block parts 52' about the studs 56. A substantially universal mounting of the movable roll 12 is thus provided which permits it to accommodate itseli either to variations in thickness otthe feeding belt or the wool that is carried between the 'rolls thereby, onto any tapering of the belt or unevenness in the bulk of the wool passing through the rolls which would tendito cause an inclination of the movable rollwith respect 'to the stationary roll, whereby said rolls are spaced apart a greater distance at one end than at the other.

In order to constantly and yieldingly urge the movable roll 12 toward and into cosuspended in position byits ends in a simple manner which permits of freedom of movement thereof and avoids undesirable frictional resistance and wear. The inner end of each sprlng rests against a flange 64 that is provided upon a pin '66 projecting a short distance into the end of the spring, while thepin 66 is provided with a spherical end :68 which projects into a similarly shaped recess in the corresponding bearing block part 52, thus providing a ball and socket connection between the bearing block and the spring. The outer end of each spring surrounds a pin 70 and engages a flange 72 forminga part of an adjustable screw 74 that projects through the side of the end member and is provided with a hand-wheel 76, by means of which the tension of the spring may be adjusted as desired. The springs 60, being mounted inrthe manner just described, have substantially complete freedom of movementto accommodate themselves to the varying positions of the bearing blocks 50 and movable roll 12 carried thereby, and moreover, are so mounted as to obviate any possible frictional resistance, binding and wear.

Although the invention has been described as embodying a more or less specific construction and arrangement and location of parts, those skilled in the art will readily understand that material modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and there fore, it is desired that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

Having shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, that which is claimed as new is 1. A device for drawing-off wool having, in combination, a supporting frame, a stationary roll carried thereby, a cooperating roll pivotally mounted about two angularly disposed axes to freely accommodate itself to variations in the work, and means for yieldingly holding the movable roll in operative relation to thestationary roll.

2. A device for drawing-off wool having, in combination, a supporting frame, a stationaryroll carried thereby, a cooperating movable roll, means for mounting the respective ends of said movable roll constructed and arranged to constrain said roll to move toward and from the stationary roll in two angularly disposed arcuate paths, and means for urging said movable roll into operative relation with said stationary roll.

3. A device for drawing-off wool having, in combination, a supporting frame, a stationary roll carried thereby, a cooperating movable roll, bearing blocks for the respective ends of said movable roll pivotally mounted upon said frame about coincident axes extending parallel to said stationary roll and adapted for pivotal movements about other parallel axes lying inplanes angularly related to said first named axes, and means for yieldingly urging said movable roll into operative relation to said stationary roll.

4. A device for drawing-off wool having, in combination, a supporting frame, a stationary roll carried thereby, a cooperating movable r bea los it the re p ctive ends of said movable roll, means for movably mounting said bearing blocks to constrain the movements of said movable for yieldingly urging the movable roll toward said stationary roll;

5. A device for drawing-off wool having, incolnbination, a supporting frame, a stationary roll carried thereby, a cooperatingmovable roll, bearing blocks for the respective ends of said movable roll, means for pivotally mounting said bearing blocks about parallel axes lying in planes extending nor mal to said movable roll to permit said roll to assume an inclined position with respect to said stationary roll whereby said rolls may be spaced apart a greater distance at one end than at the other, and means acting upon the respective bearing blocks for urging the movable roll toward said stationary roll.

6. A device for drawing-oif wool having, in combination, a supporting frame, a stationary roll carried thereby, a cooperating movable roll, bearing blocks for the respective ends of said movable roll each comprising two parts for respectively carrying the roll and pivotally'mounting the blocks to the supporting frame about coincident axes extending parallel to said stationary roll, said parts being pivotally connected together about parallel axes lying in planes extending normal to said movable roll, and yielding means independently acting upon said bearing blocks for maintaining said movable roll inuoperative relation with said stationary ro 7. A device for drawing-off wool having, in combination, a supporting frame, a sta-' tionary roll carried thereby, a movable roll cooperating therewith, movable bearing blocks pivotally associated with said frame for the respective ends of said-movable roll, and independent coil compression springs disposed in the plane of said rolls and acting upon the respective bearing blocks for urging said movable roll toward said stationary roll, each of said springs being supported at one end by said frame and at the other end by one of said bearing blocks.

8. A device for drawing-off wool having,

in combination, a supporting frame, a staand independent coil springs acting upon thQ respective bearing blocks for urging the movable roll toward said stationary roll,

,one end of each spring having a universal connection with its corresponding bearing block and the other end thereof being supported by said frame.

9. A device for drawing-off wool having, in combination, a supporting frame, a stationary roll carried thereby, a cooperating movable roll, bearing blocks for the respective ends of said movable roll constructed and arranged to permit the respective ends of said roll to swing independently toward and from said stationary roll about parallel axes lying in planes extending normal to said movable roll, and means for yieldingly urging said movable roll toward said stationary roll. a

10. A device for drawing-off wool having, in combination, a supporting frame,a stationary roll carried thereby, a cooperating movable roll, bearing blocks for the respective ends of said movable roll constructed and arranged to permit the respective ends of the movable roll to swing independently toward and from said stationary roll in a plane extending through said stationary roll, and means for urging said movable roll toward said stationary roll.

11. A device for drawing-off wool having, in combination, a supporting frame, a sta tionary roll carried thereby, a cooperating movable roll, bearing blocks for the respective ends of said movable roll, and means for pivotally mounting said bearing blocks about parallel axes lying in planes extending normal to said movable roll to permit said roll to assume an inclined position with respect to the stationary roll whereby said cooperating rolls may be spaced apart a greater distance at one end than at the other.

12. A device for drawing-off wool having, in combination, a supporting frame, a stationary roll carried thereby, a cooperating movable roll, bearing blocks for the respective ends of said movable roll constructed and arranged to permit the respective ends of said roll to swing independently toward and from said stationary roll in two distinct planes at substantially right angles the one to the other, and means for urging said movable roll toward said stationary roll.

13. A device for drawing-off wool having,

in combination, asupporting frame, a sta-' tionary roll carried thereby, a cooperating movable roll, bearing blocks for the respective ends of said movable roll, each pivotally mounted to permit free independent swinging movements of said movable roll toward and from said stationary roll about two axes disposed at right angles to each other, and means acting upon both of said bearing blocks for maintaining said movable roll in operative relation to said stationary roll.

14. A device for drawing-off wool having, in combination, a supporting frame, a stationary roll carried thereby, a cooperating movable roll, and bearing blocks for the respective ends of said movable roll, each comprising two parts for respectively carrying the roll and pivotally mounting the blocks on the supporting frame about coincident axes extending parallel to said stationary roll, said parts being pivotally connected together about parallel axes lying in planes extending normal to said movable roll.

,15. A device for drawing-ofi' wool having, in combination, a supporting frame, a stationary roll carried thereby, a movable roll cooperating therewith, and movable bearing blocks for the res'pectiveends of said movable roll, said bearing blocks being associated with the supporting frame and capable of pivotal movements aboutv axes parallel to said stationary roll and also about axes lying in planes normal to said movable roll.'

16. A device for drawing-off wool having, in combination, a supporting frame, a stationary roll carried thereby, amovable roll cooperating therewith, movable bearing blocks for the respective ends of said movable roll, saidbearing blocks being associated with the supportin frame and capable of pivotal movements about axes parallel to said stationary roll and also about axes lying in planes normal to said movable roll, and resilient means for urging the movable roll toward the stationar roll.

HARl Y STEPHENSON; 

